Russia’s Oil Exports Declines by 17.1% After Massive Drone Strikes Hit Key Refineries

Russia’s seaborne exports of oil products fell by 17.1% in September compared to August, reaching 7.58 million metric tons, according to industry data and Reuters calculations published on Reuters October 13. The decline followed a series of Ukrainian drone attacks that disrupted operations at multiple refineries across the country.

According to Reuters on October 13, Russia’s seaborne oil product exports dropped by 17.1% in September from August to 7.58 million metric tons, as refinery output declined following a series of drone attacks on major facilities.

Industry sources told the agency that unplanned outages at refineries operated by Surgutneftegaz, Lukoil, and Rosneft led to reduced fuel shipments and an increase in crude oil exports.

Several plants, including Surgutneftegaz’s Kirishinefteorgsintez refinery, Lukoil’s Volgograd refinery, and Rosneft’s Samara group of refineries, were struck in August and September.

Data cited by Reuters:

• Primorsk, Vysotsk, St. Petersburg, and Ust-Luga—fell 15.4% month-on-month to 4.36 million tons. Shipments through the Black Sea and Azov Sea ports dropped 23.2% to 2.52 million tons;

• That shipmentss from Arctic ports Murmansk and Arkhangelsk rose slightly by 1.8% to 30,200 tons. In the Far East, loadings declined 1.5% to 661,300 tons.

Analysts quoted by Reuters noted that continued Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia’s refining network are undermining the country’s fuel production capacity, cutting export volumes and pushing refiners to prioritize domestic supply.

Earlier, it was reported that in 2024, Russia’s seaborne oil product exports fell 9.1 % to 113.7 million tons, driven by Ukrainian attacks on refineries, export bans, weaker prices, and rising costs.

Support our frontline reporters

We report from the front lines to show the reality of war. Your support helps us stay there and tell the stories that matter.

DONATE NOW